If every one of those was a season ticket holder then a 6% attrition rate would have meant that in early May, the club were waiting on just 2,784 people to renew. Obviously, there are far fewer season ticket holders, so 6% would likely place it far below 2,000 people that had failed to renew, over 4 weeks ago.

Yet, this week the club have extended the cut-off date for season ticket renewals, citing a reason that would seem to contradict the previous claim.

The renewal deadline for season tickets has been extended to 14th June 2014.The initial renewal deadline was 31st May, however the Club has taken the decision to extend this by a further two weeks as forms are still being received.

Why? For such a small and iunremarkable number of people? I'm sure forms continue to be received right up until the deadline of any season,and beyond. It's never been publicised that people should continue to send renewals in though.

Once again, the club have confirmed what we all knew. They were talking utter horseshit. Season ticket renewals have seen their biggest drop off since relegation thanks to the combined efforts of Ashley and Pardew.